In May 2025, I canceled a rainy Hawaii trip and rebooked a last-minute getaway to Greece—Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. Using a mix of Marriott Bonvoy points, Capital One miles, Amex travel credits, and a $240 Delta eCredit, I pulled off a 9-day luxury itinerary for just $1,243 out-of-pocket—for three people.
This blog is not just a recap. It’s a full blueprint to help you plan your own dream trip using points. You’ll get:
- How to fly to Greece with miles or eCredits
- The best boutique hotels to book with points
- How to island hop efficiently
- Pro tips on booking the Acropolis, ferry timing, and avoiding tourist traps
- When to use points vs. cash: use our Miles vs Cash Calculator
Table of Contents
- Trip Overview & Cost
- Flights to and Within Greece (Points Strategy)
- Where to Stay (Points + Credits)
- Island Ferry Logistics
- Transportation Tips (Airport + Island)
- Athens Travel Guide
- Mykonos Travel Guide
- Santorini Travel Guide
- Top Tools for Booking
- How to Copy This Trip
- View Full 7-Day Itinerary
Trip Overview & Cost
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Trip Dates | May 18–26, 2025 |
| Destinations | Athens, Mykonos, Santorini |
| Flight Cost | $240 Delta eCredit + points |
| Hotels | Booked entirely on points or credits |
| Out-of-Pocket Total | $1,243 for 3 people |
Flights to and Within Greece (Points Strategy)
- International: Used Delta eCredit to book JFK → Athens nonstop
- Intra-Greece: Used Capital One miles via the travel portal to book:
- Athens → Mykonos (Aegean Airlines)
- Santorini → Athens (partially paid with points, earned 5X miles)
Pro Tip: Search for award availability on Seats.aero before transferring points.
Where to Stay (Using Points & Credits)
- Athens: Moxy Athens City (109,000 Marriott Points for 3 nights)
- Mykonos: Ibiscus Boutique Hotel (Capital One miles)
- Santorini: Elea Resort (used $250 Amex credit + $404 cash)
Want points to cover hotels like this? I used cards like Chase Sapphire Preferred and Amex Bonvoy Business to earn welcome bonuses fast.
Island Ferry Logistics
The best way to go from Mykonos to Santorini is via Blue Star Ferries (2.5 hrs, scenic ride, larger boats). Avoid the smaller “high-speed” ferries if you’re prone to seasickness.
- Booked directly via Blue Star Ferries
- Paid with Capital One Venture X for trip protection
- Cost: ~€82 per person
Transportation Tips (Taxis, Ferries, Rentals)
- Athens: Metro to/from airport is affordable, but for groups or convenience, taxis to city center run ~€35–40. Airport taxis are flat-rate. Use the Beat App for calling cabs.
- Mykonos: You’ll want a rental car to visit multiple beaches. Parking is tricky near town. I rented via Capital One portal and picked up from the airport.
- Santorini: Pickup your rental car directly at the ferry port (Athinios) and return it at the airport before your flight. Driving is difficult as there are many hills and cliffs, but you will be able to explore the entire island like quieter villages like Pyrgos.
Athens Travel Guide
Must-See Sites (with Pro Tips)
- Acropolis: Go first thing in the morning (~8:00 AM) to avoid heat and crowds
- Acropolis Museum: Visit before seeing the ruins to understand the context. Book tickets here: Acropolis + Museum Guided Tour
- Optional: Book a guided walking tour for extra context and skip-the-line access
Neighborhoods to Explore
- Plaka: Historic center, great for dining, shopping, and walks
- Anafiotika: Hidden village-like charm under the Acropolis
- Psiri: Nightlife, artisan shops, murals, and cafés
- Pangrati: Local vibe, great coffee shops, and boutique shopping
Dining Recommendations
- Strofi: Classic rooftop restaurant with Acropolis view
- 360 Cocktail Bar: Casual rooftop in Monastiraki with panoramic views
- Tzitzikas & Mermigas: Elevated modern meze, ideal for lunch
Extra Experiences
- Sunset at Lycabettus Hill: Ride the funicular and dine at Orizontes
- Hop-On Bus Tour: Book here: Athens City Tour — ideal to revisit sites in comfort
- Half-Day Tour to Cape Sounion: Visit the Temple of Poseidon at sunset: Book this tour
Mykonos Travel Guide
Transportation
- Rent a car upon arrival at Mykonos Airport (pre-book via travel portal)
- Drive to beaches and small towns—most buses are unreliable or infrequent
- Park on the outskirts of Mykonos Town to explore on foot
Top Things to Do
- Walk through Little Venice and visit the Windmills
- Explore Matoyianni Street for upscale shops and photo ops
- Visit Mykonos Town on a guided tour to learn the island’s story
Best Beaches (Drive to Each)
- Psarou: Jet-set crowd, clear waters, pricey beach clubs
- Paraga: More relaxed, great for a beach lunch
- Agios Ioannis: Quiet, excellent for sunset
- Super Paradise Beach: Book a sunbed at Thalas Mykonos
Where to Eat
- M-eating: Upscale Greek with a modern twist
- Kiki’s Tavern: No reservations, rustic vibe, go early
Santorini Travel Guide
Transportation
- Pick up rental car at ferry port (Athinios) and return at airport (JTR)
- Use GPS or Google Maps; road signs are easy to follow
Where to Stay
- Stay in Oia for iconic blue domes and sunsets
- I booked Elea Resort – Adults Only using Amex Delta Reserve $250 credit + cash
Top Villages to Explore
- Oia: Sunsets, cliff views, shops, blue domes
- Pyrgos: Quiet, less touristy, perfect for morning walks
- Megalochori: Great for lunch and local cafés
Best Photo Spots
- Oia Blue Dome Viewpoint: Go early (~8 AM) to beat tour groups
- Castle ruins in Oia: Best for sunset shots (get there 1 hour early)
Recommended Experiences
- Wine tasting + sunset tour: Top sights & Oia Sunset Tour
- Catamaran Cruise with dinner: Book here for BBQ + music + open bar
Where to Eat
- Petra Restaurant: Cliffside dining in Oia
- The Athenian House: Upscale Greek tasting menu with caldera views
- Anogi: Taverna-style, family-friendly, in Imerovigli
Top Tools I Used
- Seats.aero – Real-time award seat search to book Delta and partners
- Miles vs Cash Calculator – See whether to use points or pay cash
- Chase Sapphire Preferred – My go-to for 2X travel + transfer partners
- Amex Bonvoy Business – Great for earning Marriott points quickly
How to Copy This Trip
Here’s how you can build your own Greece trip on points:
- Use Delta SkyMiles or Amex MR → Air France to fly to Athens (search on Seats.aero)
- Book intra-Greece flights through the Capital One or Chase travel portal
- Use Chase or Amex hotel transfer partners to book hotels in Athens and Mykonos
- Use our calculator to decide when to use points or pay cash
📍 View My Full Greece Itinerary
If you want to see the full day-by-day breakdown of my exact trip (with times, activities, meals, and transportation):
→ Click here to view the full 7-day Greece itinerary
Planning your next trip? Browse more itineraries and booking tools at etravelogs.com.
